Seating arrangement and method

ABSTRACT

A seating arrangement for an aircraft may include a plurality of seats that may be convertible into a flat bed configuration. Each seat may have a seat centerline that may be oriented at a seat angle relative to a longitudinal axis of an aircraft cabin. Each seat may include a footrest that may be offset from the seat centerline of the seat.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to passenger seatingarrangements and, more particularly, to seating arrangements forpassenger seats such as in an aircraft cabin.

BACKGROUND

The design of an aircraft passenger seat and the layout of an aircraftcabin involves inherently conflicting requirements of providing space ineach seat for the comfort of the passenger while also providing ahigh-density seating arrangement to maximize airline revenues. In thisregard, it may be desirable for seats in an aircraft cabin to allow apassenger to work, eat, and/or relax during a day flight, and allow thepassenger to sleep during a night flight. Preferably, an aircraftpassenger seat provides each passenger with comfortable positions forsuch activities while meeting relevant safety standards.

Ideally, the cabin area may be used in the most space-efficient mannerpossible so as to maximize the seat width and legroom for eachpassenger, while allowing for direct, unimpeded egress capability fromeach seat to a main aisle of the cabin. In addition, it may be desirablefor a seat design and cabin layout to be configurable for use in a widevariety of aircraft configurations currently being designed,manufactured, and/or sold.

In view of the foregoing, there exists a need in the art for a passengerseating arrangement that maximizes seat density and includes seats thatprovide for the comfort of passengers during day and night flights, andwhich allow for unimpeded access to an aisle.

SUMMARY

The above-noted needs associated with passenger seating are specificallyaddressed by the present disclosure which provides a seating arrangementwhich may be implemented in an aircraft or in other vehicular ornon-vehicular applications. In one example, the seating arrangement mayinclude a plurality of seats that may be convertible into a flat bedconfiguration. Each seat may have a seat centerline that may be orientedat a seat angle relative to a longitudinal axis of an aircraft cabin.Each seat may include a footrest that may be offset from the seatcenterline of the seat.

Also disclosed is a seating arrangement having a plurality of seatsarranged in columns and which may be incorporated into an aircraftcabin. Each seat may be convertible into a flat bed configuration havinga seat bottom and a footrest that may be narrower than the seat bottom.Each seat may allow for direct, unimpeded access to an aisle when theadjacent seats are in the bed configuration. In at least one column ofan inboard column set and/or an outboard column set, the seats may bereversed in direction and/or the seat may be staggered relative to theseats in an adjacent column and/or an across-aisle column.

Also disclosed is a method of determining a seating arrangement for anaircraft cabin. The method may include entering configuration parametersinto a processor. The configuration parameters may include the cabinwidth, the quantity of aisles, the minimum aisle width, and the quantityof columns of seats. Each seat may be movable between a seatedconfiguration and a bed configuration having a seat width that tapersfrom a main portion to a footrest. The method may additionally includeentering seat parameters describing a taper in seat width from the mainportion to the footrest. The method may also include enteringconfiguration rules into the processor. The configuration rules mayinclude that in at least one column of an inboard column set and/or anoutboard column set, the seats are reversed in direction and/or arestaggered. The method may further include determining, using theprocessor, a seating arrangement including a column quantity in eachcolumn set, and a seat direction and/or a stagger for each column in theseating arrangement that results in a maximum seat width at a mainportion of the seats and a maximum seat density.

The features, functions and advantages that have been discussed can beachieved independently in various embodiments of the present disclosureor may be combined in yet other embodiments, further details of whichcan be seen with reference to the following description and drawingsbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the present disclosure will become moreapparent upon reference to the drawings wherein like numbers refer tolike parts throughout and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an aircraft;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an example of a seating arrangement for anaircraft cabin including seats that are convertible from an uprightseated configuration into a flat bed configuration and wherein each seatmay be oriented at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of theaircraft cabin;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the seating arrangement ofFIG. 2 and illustrating each seat allowing for direct, unimpeded accessto an aisle of the aircraft cabin;

FIG. 4 is a side view taken along line 4 of FIG. 3 and illustrating apassenger seat in an upright seated configuration;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a seat of FIG. 4 converted into a flat bedconfiguration;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an example of a seating arrangement for asingle-aisle aircraft cabin wherein the seats are arranged in a pair ofoutboard column sets and wherein one of the outboard column setscontains two columns and the other outboard column set contains threecolumns;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an example of a seating arrangement for asingle-aisle aircraft cabin wherein each one of the outboard column setscontains three columns;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the seating arrangement ofFIG. 7 and illustrating each seat allowing for direct, unimpeded accessto an aisle of the aircraft cabin;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a pair of seats in a column taken along line 9of FIG. 8 and illustrating the path width of a primary egress pathbetween the footrest of one seat and the seatback of a forward seat;

FIG. 10 is a forward-looking view of the cabin taken along line 10 ofFIG. 8 and illustrating a pair of seats separated by an aisle andillustrating different minimum aisle width requirements at differentheights above the cabin floor;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of an example of a seating arrangement containingseats that are non-symmetrical about the longitudinal seat centerlinealong at least a portion of the seat length;

FIGS. 12A-12F illustrate examples of seating arrangements for a 9-columntwin-aisle aircraft cabin having a 2-5-2 column-aisle configuration;

FIGS. 13A-13F illustrate examples of seating arrangements for a 9-columntwin-aisle aircraft cabin having a 2-4-3 column-aisle configuration;

FIGS. 14A-14F illustrate examples of seating arrangements for a 9-columntwin-aisle aircraft cabin having a 3-3-3 column-aisle configuration;

FIGS. 15A-15F illustrate examples of seating arrangements for a10-column twin-aisle aircraft cabin having a 3-4-3 column-aisleconfiguration;

FIGS. 16A-16F illustrate examples of seating arrangements for a10-column twin-aisle aircraft cabin having a 2-4-4 column-aisleconfiguration;

FIGS. 17A-17F illustrate examples of seating arrangements for a10-column twin-aisle aircraft cabin having a 2-5-3 column-aisleconfiguration;

FIGS. 18A-18F illustrate examples of seating arrangements for a10-column twin-aisle aircraft cabin having a 2-6-2 column-aisleconfiguration;

FIGS. 19A-19B illustrate examples of seating arrangements for a12-column triple-aisle aircraft cabin having a 3-3-3-3 column-aisleconfiguration;

FIGS. 20A-20F illustrate examples of seating arrangements for anoutboard column set having 4 columns;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating one or more operations that may beincluded in a method of determining a seating arrangement for anaircraft cabin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating various embodiments of the disclosure, shown in FIG. 1 is aplan view of an aircraft 100 that may include one or more embodiments ofa seating arrangement 240 as disclosed herein. In the presentdisclosure, a seating arrangement 240 may be described as the relativelocation and orientation of seats 242, columns 200, and aisles 158within the aircraft cabin 150. The various examples of seatingarrangements 240 disclosed herein provide improved seat density for anaircraft cabin 150 with full, flat bed capability for each seat 242 anddirect, unimpeded access to an aisle 158 from each seat 242. In any ofthe embodiments disclosed herein, an aircraft cabin 150 may include oneor more different seating arrangements 240 at different locations alongthe cabin length 170 of the aircraft cabin 150. For example, an aircraft100 may include a first class section (not shown) having one type ofseating arrangement 240, and a business class section (not shown) havinga seating arrangement 240 that is different than the seating arrangement240 in the first class section.

In FIG. 1, the aircraft 100 may include a fuselage 104 having alongitudinal axis 156 or centerline that may extend lengthwise along thefuselage 104. The fuselage 104 may include a nose defining a forward 106direction of the aircraft 100. The aircraft 100 may include an aircraftcabin 150 having opposing sidewalls 152 on opposite sides of thefuselage 104. The aircraft cabin 150 may contain a plurality of seats242 that may be arranged in a seating arrangement 240 as disclosedherein. A pair of wings 108 may be attached to the fuselage 104. Theaircraft 100 may include one or more propulsion units 102 which may bemounted to the wings 108 or at other locations on the aircraft 100. Theaircraft 100 may include an empennage 110 at the aft end of the fuselage104 and which may include a horizontal tail 112 and a vertical tail 114for directional control of the aircraft 100.

Although the various seating arrangements 240 of the present disclosureare described in the context of a tube-and-wing aircraft 100 as shown inFIG. 1, any one or more of the seating arrangements 240 disclosed hereinmay be incorporated into any aircraft configuration, without limitation.For example, any one of the seating arrangements 240 disclosed hereinmay be incorporated into a blended-wing-body aircraft or in any otheraircraft configuration. In addition, any one of the seating arrangements240 disclosed herein may be incorporated into other vehicularapplications including, but not limited to, any marine, land, air,and/or space vehicle. In addition, any one of the seating arrangements240 disclosed herein may be implemented in any vehicular application ornon-vehicular application, without limitation, and are not limited toincorporation into an aircraft cabin 150.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a seating arrangement 240 for an aircraftcabin 150. The seating arrangement 240 includes a plurality of seats242, any one or more of which may have the attributes of beingconvertible between an upright seated configuration 246 and a flat bedconfiguration 248, and allowing for direct, unimpeded access to an aisle158 when the adjacent seats 242 are in the bed configuration 248, asdescribed in greater detail below. For example, FIG. 2 shows anembodiment of a seating arrangement 240 wherein each one of the seats242 is convertible between a seated configuration 246 and a bedconfiguration 248. In some examples, the seats 242 in the bedconfiguration 248 may have a substantially horizontal lie-flatcapability. However, in other examples not shown, one or more of theseats 242 in the bed configuration 248 may be slightly inclined relativeto horizontal.

The seats 242 may be arranged in one or more columns 200. A column 200may be described as a set of seats 242 arranged in longitudinalalignment with one another. Each column 200 has a column axis 202.Although FIG. 2 illustrates the column axes 202 oriented substantiallyparallel to one another and substantially parallel to the longitudinalaxes of the aircraft cabin 150, a seating arrangement 240 may beprovided wherein the column axis 202 of one or more columns 200 isoriented non-parallel to the longitudinal axis 156 of the aircraft cabin150.

A seating arrangement 240 may include one or more column sets 204, 206.A column set 204, 206 may include a single column 200, or a column set204, 206 may include two or more columns 200. The columns 200 in amulti-column set 204, 206 are located directly adjacent to one anotherwith no aisle 158 between the columns 200. For example, the seats 242 inone column 200 of a column set 204, 206 may be located immediatelyadjacent to the seats 242 in the adjacent column 214 of the same columnset 204, 206. In one example, the seat sides 274 of the seats 242 in onecolumn 200 of a column set 204, 206 may be located at a maximum distanceof less than approximately 6 inches from the seat sides 274 of the seats242 of an adjacent column 214 of the same column set 204, 206 for anylocation along the length of the adjacent seats 242. More preferably,the seat sides 274 of the seats 242 in immediately adjacent columns 200may be spaced apart at less than approximately 3 inches side-to-side. Inother embodiments, the seat sides 274 of the seats 242 in adjacentcolumns 200 of a column set 204, 206 may be positioned in contactingrelation to one another in least one location along a seat side 274 ofthe least one of the adjacent pairs of seats 242. In still otherembodiments, an adjacent pair of seats may be formed as a unitaryassembly (not shown), as described below.

FIG. 2 illustrates a seating arrangement 240 having a pair of outboardcolumn sets 204 located on opposite sides of the aircraft cabin 150, andan inboard column set 206 located between the pair of outboard columnsets 204. Each one of the outboard column sets 204 is separated from theinboard column set 206 by a longitudinally-extending aisle 158. A columnset with a sidewall 152 on one side of the column set may be referred toas an outboard column set 204. A column set with an aisle 158 on bothsides of the column set may be referred to as an inboard column set 206.

An aircraft cabin 150 may include one or more aisles 158 extending in agenerally forward/aft direction of the aircraft cabin 150. In thisregard, an aircraft 100 may be classified by the number of aisles 158 inthe aircraft cabin 150. For example, a tube-and-wing aircraft 100 (e.g.,see FIG. 1) having one aisle 158 in each zone or section (e.g., in theeconomy class section, the business class section, the first classsection) may be described as a single-aisle aircraft, a tube-and-wingaircraft 100 having two aisles 158 in each section may be described as atwin-aisle aircraft, and a tube-and-wing aircraft 100 having threeaisles 158 in each section may be described as a triple-aisle aircraft.A single-aisle aircraft 100 may include only two column sets. Atwin-aisle aircraft 100 may include only three column sets including apair of outboard column sets 204 and an inboard column set 206. Ablended-wing aircraft (not shown) may have a combination of single-aislesections, twin-aisle sections, or other multi-aisle sections. Forexample, the cabin of a blended-wing aircraft may have a single-aislesection in the first class section, and the remainder of the cabin ofthe blended-wing aircraft may be a combination of twin-aisle andtriple-aisle sections, or any one of a variety of other combinations ofsingle-aisle or multi-aisle sections.

In FIG. 2, each one of the outboard column sets 204 has a single column200 of seats 242 forming a sidewall column 212. Each sidewall column 212is bounded by the aircraft cabin 150 sidewall 152 on one side of thesidewall column 212, and an aisle 158 on an opposite side of thesidewall column 212. However, an outboard column set 204 may include twoor more columns 200, at least one of which is a sidewall column 212. Theseating arrangement 240 in FIG. 2 further includes a single inboardcolumn set 206 containing two columns 200 directly adjacent to oneanother and are not longitudinally aligned with one another. The twocolumns 200 are directly adjacent to one another in the sense that theseats 242 in one column 200 are in close proximity to or in contact withthe seats 242 in the adjacent column 200 with no aisle between thecolumns 200. The seats 242 in one of the columns 200 of the inboardcolumn set 206 are longitudinally offset relative to the seats 242 inthe adjacent column 200. In addition, the seats 242 in one of thecolumns of the inboard column set 206 may be reversed in directionrelative to the seats 242 in the adjacent column 200 as shown. AlthoughFIG. 2 illustrates the inboard column set 206 containing two (2) columns200, an aircraft cabin 150 may have an inboard column set 206 mayinclude three or more columns 200. In some examples, an inboard columnset 206 may include a single column 200.

In the present disclosure, the number of columns 200 and aisles 158 in agiven seating arrangement 240 may be specified in a shorthand manner byspecifying the quantity of columns 200 in each column set 204, 206separated by a dash (“-”). The dash (“-”) represents an aisle 158. Theaisle-column configuration of a given seating arrangement 240 may bespecified from one side of the cabin 150 to the opposite side of thecabin. For example, the aisle-column configuration of a seatingarrangement 240 may be specified from the right-hand side of theaircraft cabin 150 to the left-hand side of the aircraft cabin 150 whenfacing the front of the aircraft cabin 150. In FIG. 2, the seatingarrangement 240 may be specified as 1-3-1, indicating that from theright-hand side to the left-hand side of the aircraft cabin 150, thereis one (1) column 200 in the right-hand outboard column set 204, then anaisle 158, then three (3) columns 200 in the inboard column set 206,then an aisle 158, then one (1) column 200 in the left-hand outboardcolumn set 204. In another example, the seating arrangement 240 shown inFIG. 6 (described in greater detail below) may be specified as 3-3,indicating that the right-hand outboard column set 204 includes three(3) columns 200 and the left-hand outboard column set 204 includes three(3) columns 200. The seating arrangement 240 shown in FIG. 7 (describedin greater detail below) may be specified as 3-2, indicating that theright-hand outboard column set 204 includes three (3) columns 200 andthe left-hand outboard column set 204 includes two (2) columns 200.

In FIG. 2, each seat 242 may be oriented at an angle 256 relative to thelongitudinal axis 156 of the aircraft cabin 150. More particularly, eachseat 242 may have a seat centerline 254 that may be oriented at an angle256 relative to the column axis 202 of the column 200 containing theseat 242. In the present disclosure, the seat centerline 254 of a seat242 may be described as being located midway between the opposing seatsides 274 in the region of the seat bottom 264. The seat centerline 254may extend in a straight line along the seat length 258. The seat length258 may be described as the overall length of the seat 242 in the bedconfiguration 248. The overall length of the seat 242 may be defined asthe maximum external length of the seat 242 from the edge of thefootrest 284 to an opposite end of the seat 242, as shown in FIG. 5.

In some examples, the seats 242 in a column 200 may be oriented at anangle 256 within the range of approximately +/−45 degrees or morerelative to the longitudinal axis 156 of the aircraft cabin 150. Forexample, in FIG. 2, the seat centerlines 254 of the seats 242 in atleast one of the outboard column sets 204 and/or the inboard column sets206 may be oriented at an angle 256 of approximately +/−30-35 degreesrelative to the longitudinal axis 156 of the aircraft cabin 150. In FIG.2, the seats 242 in the outboard column sets 204 may be oriented at anangle 256 of approximately +/−34 degrees relative to the longitudinalaxis 156, and the seats 242 in the inboard column set 206 may beoriented at an angle 256 of approximately +/−32 degrees relative to thelongitudinal axis 156. However, the seat centerlines 254 may be orientedat any angle 256 relative to the longitudinal axis 156 of the aircraftcabin 150. In some embodiments, the seat centerlines 254 of the seats242 in a column 200 may be parallel to one another, as shown in FIG. 2.However, the seat centerlines 254 of one or more of the seats 242 in agiven column 200 may be oriented at a slight angle 256 relative to oneanother. For example, the seat centerlines 254 of the seats 242 in agiven column 200 may be parallel to one another within a tolerance bandsuch as within approximately 10 degrees.

In FIG. 2, the seats 242 in the sidewall column 212 on one side of theaircraft cabin 150 are shown in mirror image with regard toconfiguration and angular orientation relative to the seats 242 in thesidewall column 212 on the opposite side of the aircraft cabin 150.However, the seating arrangement 240 may be configured such that theseats 242 in an opposing pair of sidewall columns 212 have the sameconfiguration and angular orientation (i.e., non-mirror-image). In anyone of the embodiments disclosed herein, each one of the seats 242 mayhave substantially the same size and shape when viewed from above. Inthis regard, each one of the seats 242 in the seating arrangement 240may have substantially the same size and footprint on the cabin floor154 when the seating arrangement is viewed from above. For example, whenthe seats 242 are in the bed configuration 248, all the seats 242 mayhave substantially the same size and shape. However, in someembodiments, the bed configuration 248 of some of the seats 242 may havea different size and shape (e.g., footprint) than the bed configuration248 of other seats 242. For example, in FIG. 2, the seats 242 in one ofthe outboard column sets 204 may have the same size and shape as theseats 242 in the other outboard column sets 204. However, the seats 242in one of the outboard column sets 204 may be configured in mirror imageabout the seat centerline 254 in the other outboard column set 204.

Referring to FIG. 3, each seat 242 may have a seat width 260 that may benon-uniform along the seat length 258. For example, each one of theseats 242 may be tapered in seat width 260 along a direction from theseat bottom 264 to the footrest 284 such as when the seat 242 is in thebed configuration 248. In the present disclosure, the seat width 260 maybe described as the external width of the seat 242 at a given locationalong the seat length 258, and may be measured from one seat side 274 toan opposite seat side 274 of the seat 242. In addition, each seat 242may have a footrest 284. In some examples, the footrest 284 may have alength of no more than approximately 25 percent of the seat length 258of the seat 242. However, the footrest 284 may have a length greaterthan 25 percent of the seat length 258. The seat 242 may have a maximumexternal seat width 260 at the seat bottom 264 and a footrest 284 widthat a footrest end 286 of the footrest 284.

The footrest end 286 of the seat 242 may be narrower than the maximumexternal seat width 260. In some examples, the footrest end 286 may benarrower than the maximum external seat width 260 by at least 30percent. In some embodiments, the maximum external seat width 260 may bein the range of from approximately 20-35 inches. The width at thefootrest 284 may be in the range of approximately 5-20 inches or more.In some examples, the footrest 284 may have a width of approximately8-16 inches. For example, the footrest 284 may have a width ofapproximately 12 inches. The seat bottom 264 may have a substantiallyconstant seat width 260, although the seat bottom 264 may be tapered inwidth. In some examples, the seat 242 may be described as having a mainportion 262 when the seat 242 is in the bed configuration 248. The mainportion 262 may include the seat bottom 264, the seat back 266, and/orthe headrest 268. The specific seat 242 designs may have any one of avariety of different configurations and are not limited to thearrangements shown in FIGS. 4-5. For example, any one of the seats 242may include a variety of fixed or articulated assemblies, including, butnot limited to side privacy screens, footrest 284 covers, personalstowage areas, and other features.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the seat width 260 may be taperedfrom an end of the seat bottom 264 toward a footrest end 286 of thefootrest 284. In this regard, the seat width 260 may be tapered in thearea of the leg rest 272 and the footrest 284. In addition, when theseat 242 is in the bed configuration 248, the area of the seat back 266and headrest 268 may be chamfered or rounded. The maximum external seatwidth 260 may generally occur in the area of the seat bottom 264.However, the seat 242 may be provided in any one of a variety ofdifferent tapered configurations and is not limited to that which isdescribed herein and/or illustrated in the figures.

In FIG. 3, the footrest 284 of one or more of the seats 242 may betransversely offset 290 from the seat centerline 254. In this regard,the footrest end 286 may have a footrest center 288 that may be offset290 from the seat centerline 254 when the seat 242 is in the bedconfiguration 248. The footrest center 288 may be described as lyingalong the footrest end 286 and/or being located midway between theopposing lateral sides of the footrest 284. The footrest center 288 maybe offset 290 from the seat centerline 254 by approximately 2-8 inches.For example, the footrest center 288 may be offset 290 from the seatcenterline 254 by approximately 4 inches.

In some embodiments, the footrest 284 and/or at least a portion of theleg rest 272 of one or more seats 242 may be non-symmetrical about theseat centerline 254. In addition, other portions of a seat 242 may benon-symmetrical about the seat centerline 254 when the seat 242 is inthe bed configuration 248. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4-5 anddescribed in greater detail below, a seat 242 may include a headrest268, a seat back 266, a seat bottom 264, a leg rest 272, and a footrest284, any combination of which may be used to form the seat 242 in thebed configuration 248, and which may be non-symmetrical about the seatcenterline 254.

In FIG. 3, one or more of the seats 242 may include a bulge shape or aconvex shape 280 on one of the seat sides 274. One or more of the seats242 may include a notch shape or a concave shape 278 on one of the seatsides 274. In some examples, a seat 242 may have a convex shape 280 onone seat side 274, and a concave shape 278 on an opposite seat side 274of the seat 242. An offset 290 of the footrest 284 of a seat 242 maycontribute to the concave shape 278 and/or convex shape 280 of the seatside 274. In FIG. 3, the seats 242 in one of the columns 200 may beangled relative to the column axis 202. For example, the footrest 284 ofthe seats 242 in one of the columns 200 may be positioned at anapproximate midpoint 276 of the nearest seat 242 forward or aft in thesame column 200. In addition, the seats 242 in a column 200 of a columnset 204, 206 may be reversed 220 such that the seat 242 in one of thecolumns 200 faces in a direction opposite the seats 242 of an adjacentcolumn 214. Furthermore, the seats 242 in one column 200 of a column set204, 206 may be staggered 218 in a longitudinal direction relative tothe seats 242 in an adjacent column of the same column set 204, 206. Forexample, the seats 242 in one column 200 may be longitudinally staggered218 relative to the seats 242 in another column 200 by an amount equalto one-half of the seat pitch 282 between the seats 242. As describedbelow, seat pitch 282 may be described as the longitudinal distance froma point (e.g., an end or corner of the seat) on one seat 242 in a column200 to the same point on the next seat 242 forward 106 in the samecolumn 200 and/or the next seat 242 aft in the same column 200.

FIG. 3 illustrates a seating arrangement 240 wherein the seats 242 arearranged in an inboard column set 206 and a pair of outboard column sets204. Each one of the outboard column sets 204 is separated from theinboard column set 206 by an aisle 158. The inboard column set 206 mayinclude two columns 200 having a column set centerline 208. Thefootrests 284 of each seat 242 in the two columns 200 of the inboardcolumn set 206 may be located adjacent to the column set centerline 208.In addition, the footrest 284 of the seats 242 in one of the columns 200may be positioned at an approximate midpoint 276 of the seat 242 in theadjacent column 214 of the column 200 set. Advantageously, the convexshape 280 of the seat sides 274 of the seats 242 in one column 200 maybe tightly nested with the concave shape 278 of the seat sides 274 ofthe respective adjacent seats 242 in the adjacent column 214 of thecolumn 200 set. In the example shown, the footrest 284 of the seat 242in one column 200 face the footrest 284 of a seat 242 of in the adjacentcolumn 214.

As shown in FIG. 3, the seat sides 274 of the seats 242 in each column200 of a column set may be positioned in close relation (e.g., within1-3 inches) or contacting relation to the seat sides 274 of the seat 242in the immediately adjacent column 214 of the column set along at leastone location of the seat length 258. The nesting of the seats 242 andthe staggered 218 placement of the seats 242 in the adjacent columns 200may advantageously reduce the total width of the column set. In anembodiment not shown, two or more seats 242 in a seat column 200 may beformed as a unitary assembly (not shown) or are interconnected by commonparts such that the seats 242 of the unitary assembly are in continuouscontact with one another and may be installed in the aircraft cabin 150as a unit.

In an embodiment not shown, two or more seats 242 of adjacent seatcolumns may be formed as a unitary assembly (not shown) such that theseats 242 of the adjacent columns 200. Although not shown, such aunitary assembly of seats 242 may include a privacy shield (not shown)to block the footrest 284 of each seat 242 from the field of view of theother seat(s) in the unitary assembly or from the field of view ofadjacent seats 242 that are unattached to the unitary assembly. In stillfurther embodiments not shown, a unitary assembly may include acombination of seats 242 in the same column 200 and seats 242 indifferent columns 200. Regardless of whether the seats 242 are providedas individual units or the seats 242 are provided in a unitary assembly,the seats 242 may be nested together as shown in FIG. 3 to reduce thetotal width of the column set. The reduction in the total width of thecolumn set may advantageously allow for an increase in the seat width260 of the individual seats 242 in each column 200 relative to the seatwidth provided by a seating arrangement containing seats 242 that aresymmetric (not shown) about the seat centerline 254 and/or that arenon-tapered (not shown) along the seat length 258.

The seating arrangement 240 may allow for maximized seat width 260 whilemaintaining a minimum aisle width 160 (FIG. 10) as may be required by anaviation regulatory body such as the Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) or foreign equivalent, and/or as may be specified by the designrequirements of a manufacturer or a customer. For example, amanufacturer may specify a minimum aisle width 160 that may slightlywider than the minimum aisle width 160 specified by an aviationregulatory body such as the FAA. In some examples, the seatingarrangement 240 may take advantage of the different minimum aisle widths160 above and below an aisle threshold height 162 measured from thecabin floor 154. For example, for aircraft 100 having a seating capacityof 20 or more passengers, the FAA require a first minimum aisle width164 (FIG. 10) of equal to or greater than 20 inches at any point betweenseats 242 for an aisle threshold height 162 of equal or greater than 25inches above the cabin floor 154. At an aisle threshold height 162 ofless than 25 inches above the cabin floor 154, a second minimum aislewidth 166 (FIG. 10) at any point between seats 242 must equal or exceed15 inches. The minimum aisle width 160 may be described as the width ofthe aisle 158 at the shortest distance between two across-aisle seats.Alternatively, the minimum aisle width 160 may be described as the widthof the aisle 158 when viewed from one end of the aisle 158.

In some embodiments, the seating arrangements 240 described in thepresent disclosure may be configured to take advantage of theabove-noted difference in the minimum aisle width 160 above and belowthe aisle threshold height 162 as a means to maximize the seat widths260. For example, by angling the seats 242 in one or more of the aislecolumns 210 (e.g., see FIG. 2) and/or by configuring the seats 242 inone or more of the aisle columns 210 such that the tapered portions ofthe seats 242 (e.g., the footrests 284) are near the aisle 158 (e.g.,see FIG. 2) and have a height of less than 25 inches when placed in thebed configuration 248, the aisle width 160 may be reduced relative tothe aisle width for seating arrangements having non-angled (not shown)and/or non-tapered seats (not shown). In this regard, the ability to usea reduced aisle width 160 (e.g., a second minimum aisle width 166) mayallow for an increase in the maximum seat width 260 of each seat 242(e.g., at the seat bottom 264 portion). In addition, by staggering thecross-aisle columns 210 such that the footrest 284 of the seats 242 inone aisle column 210 are longitudinally positioned directly across fromthe main portion 262 (e.g., the seat bottom 264) of the aisle 158 in theother aisle column 210, the smaller second minimum aisle width 166(e.g., 15 inches) may be used instead of the larger first minimum aislewidth 164 (e.g., 20 inches). The ability to use the smaller second aislewidth 160 in an angled seat arrangement may allow for an increase in themaximum seat width 260 of each seat 242 in the seating arrangement 240due to the seats 242 being oriented at an angle as shown in FIGS. 2-3.

As shown in FIG. 3, the seating arrangement 240 allows for direct,unimpeded access from each seat 242 to an aisle 158 of the aircraftcabin 150. In this regard, each passenger 244 may have direct accessfrom their seat 242 to the main aisle 158 of the aircraft cabin 150 viaat least one egress path 222 which also serves as the ingress path tothe seat 242. For seats 242 located in an aisle column 210, thepassenger 244 may exit directly into the aisle 158. In some embodiments,the egress path 222 may be oriented primarily in a transverse direction.In this regard, the egress path 222 may be oriented generallyperpendicular to the forward 106 direction of the aircraft 100 and/orperpendicular to the aisle 158. However, one or more portions of theegress path 222 may be oriented non-perpendicularly relative to theforward 106 direction and/or relative to the aisle 158. In the seatingarrangement 240 shown in FIGS. 2-3, each seat 242 may have a primaryegress path 222 allowing for direct unimpeded access from the seat 242to the aisle 158. In other seating arrangements 240 described below(e.g., see FIGS. 6-8 and 11-20) wherein the seats 242 may be generallynon-angled relatively to the column axis 202, each seat 242 may includea primary egress path 222 and a secondary egress path 224. The secondaryegress path 224 may allow for direct unimpeded access to the aisle 158when the adjacent seats 242 are in the seated configuration 246. Forexample, when the seats 242 are arranged in staggered 218 columns, asecondary egress path 224 may allow a passenger 244 to exit their seat242 through an area of the cabin 150 formerly occupied by adjacent seats242 in the bed configuration 248.

The seating arrangements 240 disclosed herein may be configured suchthat a passenger 244 may access a main aisle 158 from their seat 242using the primary egress path 222 without stepping over seats 242 ordisturbing other passengers 244, regardless of whether the adjacentseats 242 are in the seated configuration 246 or in the bedconfiguration 248. In this regard, the seating arrangements 240 areconfigured such that none of the adjacent seats 242 block or obstructthe primary egress path 222 for any seat 242. In some examples where theseats 242 in a column 200 are staggered 218 relative to an immediatelyadjacent column 214, a passenger 244 may exit their seat 242 by firstretracting their seat 242 from the bed configuration 248 into the seatedconfiguration 246, and then proceeding longitudinally forwardly oraftwardly from their seat 242, and then turning and moving transverselytoward the main aisle 158 via the primary egress path 222. In otherexamples, the passenger 244 may exit their seat 242 while the seat 242is in the bed configuration 248. The primary egress paths 222 may eachhave a path width 226 (FIG. 9) that allows a passenger 244 to walk onthe cabin floor 154 from their seat 242 to the main aisle 158 withoutbeing impeded by any portion of any seat whether in the seatedconfiguration 246 or in the bed configuration 248. Each primary egresspath 222 may have a path width 226 in the range of from approximately10-15 inches or more. In some examples, retraction of a seat 242 fromthe bed configuration 248 to the seated configuration 246 may includeretracting the footrest 284 to the passenger's seat 242 or retractingthe footrest 284 into an adjacent seat.

The seats 242 in each column 200 may be located at a seat pitch 282 thatprovides a minimum path width 226 for all of the primary egress paths222, while maximizing seat density in the aircraft cabin 150. The seatpitch 282 may be described as the longitudinal distance from a point onone seat 242 in a column 200 to the same point on the next seat 242forward or aft in the same column 200. In the angled seating arrangementshown in FIGS. 2-3, the seats 242 in one or more of the columns 200 mayhave a seat pitch 282 of between approximately 30-50 inches or more. Inthe non-angled seating arrangements shown in FIGS. 6-8 and 11-20, theseat pitch 282 in one or more columns 200 may be in the range of betweenapproximately to 70-100 inches, and more preferably between 88-90inches. In any one of the seating arrangements disclosed herein, theseat pitch 282 for the columns 200 in each column 200 set may besubstantially constant. However, the seat pitch 282 may be different fordifferent column sets 204, 206. For example, the constant seat pitch 282in an outboard column set 204 may be different than the constant seatpitch 282 in an inboard column set 206 or different than the constantseat pitch 282 in another outboard column set 204. In any of the seatingarrangements 240 disclosed herein, the seat pitch 282 may be long enoughto provide the minimum desired path width 226 for the primary egresspaths 222 for each seat 242.

In FIGS. 4-5, shown is an example of a passenger seat 242. FIG. 4illustrates the seat 242 in an upright seated configuration 246. FIG. 5illustrates the seat 242 in a flat bed configuration 248. In the exampleshown, the seat length 258 may include a head rest 268, the seat back266, a seat bottom 264, a leg rest 272, and a footrest 284. The seat 242may optionally include one or more arm rests 270 that may extendoutwardly when the seat 242 is in the upright seated configuration 246as shown in FIG. 4, and may be folded along side the seat 242 when theseat 242 is in the bed configuration 248 as shown in FIG. 5. Thespecific seat designs may have any one of a variety of differentconfigurations and are not limited to the arrangements shown in FIGS.4-5. For example, any one of the seats 242 may include a variety offixed or articulated assemblies, including, but not limited to sideprivacy screens, footrest covers, personal stowage areas, and otherfeatures.

It should be noted that for some seat embodiments, the footrest 284 thatis deployed from the seat 242 when the seat 242 is moved from the seatedconfiguration 246 to the bed configuration 248. For example, FIG. 4illustrates a seat 242 in the upright configuration having a leg rest272 and a footrest 284 folded underneath the seat bottom 264. FIG. 5illustrates the deployment of the leg rest 272 and footrest 284 when theseat 242 is moved into the bed configuration 248. However, in other seatembodiments not shown, the footrest 284 for a given seat 242 may be partof an adjacent seat 242 and may be deployed outwardly from the adjacentseat 242 to serve as the footrest 284 for the given seat 242 when thegiven seat 242 is moved into the bed configuration 248. In embodimentswhere the footrest 284 is deployed from an adjacent seat, the seatingarrangement 240 is such that direct, unimpeded access is provided fromthe seat 242 to the main aisle 158 regardless of whether the footrest284 from the adjacent seat 242 is deployed or retracted.

The seats 242 may be provided in any seat length 258 when the seat 242is in the bed configuration 248. In one embodiment, a seat 242 may havea seat length 258 in the range of from approximately 60-90 inches whenthe seat 242 is in the bed configuration 248, and more preferably in therange of approximately 70-80 inches when the seat 242 is in the bedconfiguration 248. A seat 242 may be supported by a seat base 250. Theseat base 250 may be coupled to the cabin floor 154. For example, theseat base 250 may be coupled to one or more seat tracks (not shown) thatmay be integrated into the cabin floor 154. In addition, the seat 242may include a seat back 266 that may function as a privacy shield 252when the seat 242 is in the bed configuration 248. As indicated above,the seats 242 may additionally include any one of a variety of fixedstructures and/or articulated assemblies, any one or all of which may beencompassed in the footprint of each seat 242 for purposes ofdetermining a seating arrangement 240 that maximizes individual seatwidth 260 while also maximizing seat 242 density in the aircraft cabin150.

In FIGS. 6-20F, shown are additional embodiments of seating arrangements240 which may be installed in an aircraft cabin 150 and which mayincorporate any one or more of the parameters, geometric aspects,spacings, orientations, attributes, features, and configurations of theseats 242 and/or seating arrangements 240 described above. FIGS. 6-7illustrate different embodiments of single-aisle seating arrangements240. FIGS. 12A-18F illustrate several examples of different embodimentsof twin-aisle seating arrangements 240. FIGS. 19A-19B illustrate severalexamples of different embodiments of triple-aisle seating arrangements240. FIGS. 20A-20F illustrate several examples of outboard column set204 containing four (4) columns 200 of seats 242.

In FIGS. 6-20F, each seating arrangement 240 includes a plurality ofseats 242 arranged in columns 200 and being convertible into a flat bedconfiguration 248 having a seat bottom 264 and a footrest 284 narrowerthan the seat bottom 264. The seat centerline 254 of each seat 242 maybe oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 156 of theaircraft cabin 150. However, in some embodiments, the seat centerlines254 may be oriented at a slight angle 256 (e.g., +/−10 degrees or more)relative to the longitudinal axis 156. The seat centerline 254 of eachone of the seats 242 may be oriented substantially parallel to a columnaxis 202 of the column 200 containing the seat. In addition, the seatcenterline 254 of each one of seats 242 in a column 200 may be orientedat a slight angle 256 (e.g., +/−10 degrees or more) relative to thecolumn axis 202 of the column 200 containing the seat 242. As indicatedabove, in any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the primary egresspath 222 of each seat 242 may allow for direct, unimpeded access to anaisle 158 such as when all of the adjacent seats 242 are in the bedconfiguration 248. For example, the seating arrangements 240 may beconfigured such that when all the adjacent seats 242 surrounding a givenseat 242 are in the bed configuration 248, the seat 242 arrangementprovides at least one primary egress path 222 allowing for directunimpeded access from the given seat 242 to a main aisle 158 of theaircraft cabin 150, as described above.

In FIGS. 6-20F, in at least one column 200 of an inboard column set 206and/or in at least one column 200 of an outboard column set 204, theseats 242 may be reversed 220 in direction and/or may be staggered 218relative to the seats 242 in an adjacent column 214 and/or in anacross-aisle column 216. As indicated above, each one of the seats 242may be tapered such that the seat width 260 at the main portion 262 ofthe seat 242 (e.g., at the seat bottom 264 and/or seat back 266) isgreater than the width at the footrest 284 of the seat 242. In someembodiments, the footrest center 288 may be transversely offset 290 fromthe seat centerline 254. For example, the footrest center 288 may betransversely offset 290 from the seat centerline 254 by approximately1-10 inches. In some embodiment, the footrest center 288 may be offsetfrom the seat centerline 254 by approximately 3-6 inches.

FIGS. 6-7 illustrate different embodiments of a single-aisle 158 seatingarrangement 240 which may be incorporated into an aircraft cabin 150.FIG. 6 shows a 3-2 seating arrangement 240 containing a right-handoutboard column set 204 having three (3) columns 200, and a left-handoutboard column set 204 having two (2) columns 200. FIG. 6 represents aseating arrangement 240 wherein the seats 242 in each one of the columns200 are reversed 220 in direction relative to the seats 242 in theimmediately adjacent column 214 of the same column set. In addition, theseats 242 in all of the columns 200 are longitudinally aligned (e.g.,are non-staggered). Advantageously, the tapered configuration of eachone of the seats 242 combined with the reversed 220 direction of theseats 242 in the immediately adjacent columns 200 allows for a reductionin the total width of the column sets relative to the seat width 260 ifthe seats were non-tapered and non-reversed. The reduction in totalwidth of the column sets may allow for an increase in the seat width 260of the individual seats 242.

FIG. 7 shows a 3-3 seating arrangement 240 containing a pair of outboardcolumn sets 204 separated by an aisle 158 and wherein each one of theoutboard column sets 204 includes three (3) columns 200. In the outboardcolumn sets 204, only the seats 242 in the sidewall column 212 arestaggered 218 relative to the seats 242 in the column 200 immediatelyadjacent to the sidewall column 212. In this regard, FIG. 7 representsseating arrangements 240 having outboard column sets 204 containingthree (3) or more columns 200 and wherein only the sidewall column 212is staggered 218 relative to the column 200 immediately adjacent to thesidewall column 212. In the embodiment shown, the sidewall column 212 isstaggered 218 by approximately one-half of the seat pitch 282. However,the sidewall column may be staggered by any percentage of the seat pitch282 that still allows egress from each seat 242 via a primary egresspath 226. In addition, FIG. 7 represents seating arrangements 240wherein the seats 242 in the sidewall column 212 of the outboard columnset 204 are facing in the same direction (e.g., facing aft) as the seats242 in the column 200 immediately adjacent to the sidewall column 212.In addition, FIG. 7 represents seating arrangements 240 wherein theseats 242 in one aisle column 210 are longitudinally aligned (e.g., arenon-staggered) with the seats 242 in the other aisle column 210, and arereversed 220 in direction relative to the seats 242 in the other aislecolumn 210.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the seating arrangement 240of FIG. 7. Advantageously, the seating arrangement 240 allows fordirect, unimpeded access to the aisle 158 from each seat 242 via aprimary egress path 222. In addition, FIG. 8 illustrates the secondminimum aisle width 166 (FIG. 10) that may be implemented to reduce thecross-aisle 158 spacing between the seats 242 due to the staggered 218arrangement of the opposing aisle columns 210 and due to the height ofthe bed configuration 248 being less than the aisle threshold height162, as described above.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a pair of seats 242 of the same column 200. Theforward seat is shown in the upright, seated configuration 246, and theaft seat is shown in the flat, bed configuration 248. FIG. 9 illustratesthe path width 226 of the primary egress path 222 which providesunimpeded access to an aisle 158 from an interior seat 242 (e.g., anon-aisle seat). As indicated above, the path width 226 of the primaryegress path 222 may be defined by the seat length 258 of each one of theseats 242 in a column 200, and by the seat pitch 282 between the seats242 in the column 200.

FIG. 10 is a forward-looking view of a pair of seats 242 separated by anaisle 158 of the aircraft cabin 150 and illustrating the differentminimum aisle widths 164, 166 at different heights above the cabin floor154. The seat 242 on the left is shown in the bed configuration 248 withthe leg rest 272 and/or the footrest 284 separated from the seat 242 onthe right by the second minimum aisle width 166. As indicated above,certain aviation regulations (e.g., Federal Aviation Regulations—FARs)and their foreign equivalents may allow a first minimum aisle width 164(e.g., 20 inches) between seats 242 at an aisle threshold height 162 ofequal or greater than a predetermined height (e.g., 25 inches) above thecabin floor 154, and a second minimum aisle width 166 (e.g., 15 inches)below the aisle threshold height 162.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a seating arrangement 240 containingseats 242 of which at least a portion are non-symmetrical about the seatcenterline 254. As indicated above, the seat centerline 254 may belocated midway between the opposing seat sides 274 in the region of theseat bottom 264, and may extend in a straight line along the seat length258. One or more of the seats 242 may include a convex shape 280 and/ora convex shape 280 on one or more of the opposing seat sides 274. Forexample, in FIG. 11, each one of the seats 242 may have a concave shape278 along at least a portion of the seat length 258 on one seat side274, and a generally concave shape 278 extending along at least aportion of the opposite seat side 274.

In FIG. 11, the convex shape 280 of the seat sides 274 in one column 200may be nested with the concave shape 278 of the seat sides 274 andoriented in a reversed 220 direction relative to an adjacent column 214of the same column 200 set, and which may advantageously allow for anincrease in the seat width 260 of the seat bottoms 264 withoutincreasing the width of the column sets. In addition, by providing aconcave shape 278 in the seat sides 274 and by longitudinally staggeringcolumns 200 that are immediately adjacent to one another, the column setwidth may be reduced which may also allow for an increase in the seatwidth 260 of individual seats 242. Likewise, longitudinally staggeringcolumns 200 that are located across an aisle 158 from one another, andconfiguring the seats 242 to take advantage of the smaller minimum aislewidth 160 that may be available below an aisle threshold height 162(e.g., see FIG. 10) above the cabin floor 154 as described above mayallow for an increase in the individual seat widths 260.

Although not shown, any one of the seating arrangements 240 shown inFIGS. 6-20 may include seats 242 having footrests 284 that may be offset290 relative to the seat centerline 254 when the seats 242 are in thebed configuration 248. Any one of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 to 20may implement any of the relative positions and orientations of theseats 242 described above with regard to FIGS. 2-3. For example, theseats 242 in immediately adjacent columns 214 or across-aisle columns216 may be oriented such that the narrower footrest 284 of the seats 242in one column 200 are longitudinally positioned at an approximatemidpoint 276 of the seats 242 in the adjacent column. In otherembodiments, the seats 242 may be longitudinally staggered 218 such thatthe narrower footrest 284 of the seats 242 in one column 200 arepositioned adjacent to the wider main portion 262 (e.g., the seat bottom264) of the seats 242 in an immediately adjacent column 214 of the samecolumn 200 set. In FIG. 8, the staggering of the cross-aisle seats 242such that the narrower footrest 284 of the seats 242 in one aisle column210 are longitudinally positioned directly across from the main portion262 (e.g., the seat bottom 264) of the seats 242 in the opposing aislecolumn 210 may allow for an increase in individual seat widths 260.

Referring to FIGS. 12A-18F, shown are examples of twin-aisle seatingarrangements 240 that may be determined according to configurationparameters, seat parameters, and configuration rules in a mannerdescribed below. Configuration parameters may describe the size,geometry, and configuration of the aircraft cabin 150, and/or the size,geometry, and configuration of a zone or section (e.g., business classsection, economy class section, etc.) of the aircraft cabin 150. Forexample, configuration parameters may describe the cabin width 168 (FIG.2) and cabin length 170, the total quantity of aisles 158 in theaircraft cabin 150, the minimum aisle width (FIGS. 8 and 10-11), and thetotal quantity of columns 200 of seats 242 in the aircraft cabin 150 orin a section of the aircraft cabin 150. In some embodiments, theconfiguration parameters may include zone parameters of the aircraftcabin 150. Zone parameters may include the length 170 (FIG. 2) of a zoneor section (e.g., business class or economy class section) of theaircraft cabin 150, a minimum path width 226 (FIG. 9) between seats 242in the same column 200 in the section, the location and geometry of oneor more monuments (not shown) such as section dividers, a galley (notshown), lavatories (not shown), closets (not shown), and other monumentsthat may be included in or associated with a section of an aircraftcabin 150. Zone parameters may also include the size and location of oneor more cross-aisles (not shown) that may be associated with a section.Such cross-aisles may be oriented generally transverse to thelongitudinal axis 156 of the aircraft 100. Seat parameters may describethe geometry and dimensions of the seats 242. In this regard, seatparameters may assign values to the seat attributes of the seats. Forexample, the seat parameters may describe the attributes of the seatwidth, the seat length, the amount of offset of the footrest relative tothe seat centerline, and other seat attributes.

As indicated above, FIGS. 12A-18F show examples of different embodimentsof twin-aisle seating arrangements 240 determined according toconfiguration parameters, seat parameters, and configuration rules.FIGS. 12A-12E, 13A-13E, and 14A-14E each contain nine (9) columns 200and FIGS. 15A-15E, 16A-16E, 17A-17E, and 18A-18E each contain ten (10)columns 200. Each one of the seating arrangements 240 in FIGS. 12-12E,13A-13E, . . . , and 18A-18E (i.e., FIGS. 12-12E through 18A-18E) maymeet the following configuration rules: each seating arrangement 240includes at least one outboard column set 204 containing three (3) ormore columns 200 and/or at least one inboard column set 206 containingfive (5) or more columns 200, and wherein, for at least one column 200in each outboard column set 204 containing three (3) or more columns 200and at least one inboard column set 206 containing five (5) or morecolumns 200: (1) the seats 242 are reversed 220 in direction relative toan adjacent column 214 and/or, (2) the seats 242 are staggered 218relative to the seats 242 in an adjacent column 214. In addition, insome of the seating arrangements 240, for an inboard column set 206containing five (5) or more columns 200, only the seats 242 in one ormore non-aisle columns 210 may be staggered 218 relative to the seats242 in an adjacent column 214 of the inboard column set 206.Furthermore, in some of the seating arrangements 240, for an inboardcolumn set 206 containing five (5) or more columns 200, up to two (2)columns 200 may be staggered 218 relative to the respective adjacentcolumns 200 of the inboard column set 206, and the two (2) staggered 218columns 200 in the inboard column set 206 may be located immediatelyadjacent to one another. In some examples, a seating arrangement 240 mayprovide that for an outboard column set 204, only the sidewall column212 may be staggered 218 relative to the remaining column 200 in thatoutboard column set 204. In some examples, outboard column sets 204containing less than three (3) columns 200 and inboard column sets 206containing less than five (5) columns 200 may contain at least two (2)columns 200.

FIGS. 12A-18F also show a primary egress path 222 and a secondary egresspath 224 for each seat in the seating arrangement 240, except for theaisle seats 242 which may only have a primary egress path 222. Asindicated above, the seating arrangements 240 may be configured suchthat each seat (e.g., each non-aisle seat) has a primary egress path 222that may allow for direct, unimpeded access from the seat 242 to theaisle 158 when the adjacent seats 242 are in the bed configuration 248.In this regard, a primary egress path 222 allows a passenger 244 to walkon the cabin floor 154 from their seat 242 to the main aisle 158 withoutbeing impeded by any portion of any seat 242 (e.g., by an adjacent seat242), whether the adjacent seats 242 are in the seated configuration 246or in the bed configuration 248, and without disturbing passengers inother seats 242 and without stepping over any seats 242 in the bedconfiguration 248. In some seating arrangements, the secondary egresspath 224 may allow access to the aisle 158 when the adjacent seats 242are in the seated configuration 246. For example, when the seats 242 arearranged in staggered 218 columns, a passenger 244 may use a secondaryegress path 224 to exit their seat 242 through an area formerly occupiedby adjacent seats 242 in the bed configuration 248. However, in someseating arrangements (e.g., see FIG. 13C), a secondary egress path 224may not be available for non-aisle seats 242 when adjacent seats 242 arein the seated configuration 246.

In FIGS. 12-12E through 18A-18E, the staggered 218 and/or reversed 220configurations of the seating arrangements 240 are relative tonon-staggered (e.g., longitudinally aligned) and non-reversed (e.g., allseat 242 face same direction) baseline seating arrangements 241respectively illustrated in FIGS. 12F through 18F (e.g., FIGS. 12F, 13F,14F, . . . , 18F), and which the seating arrangements 240 in FIGS.12-12E through 18A-18E improve upon. The seating arrangements 240 inFIGS. 12-12E through 18A-18E include outboard column sets 204 of three(3) and four (4) columns 200, and inboard column sets 206 of five (5)and six (6) columns 200. However, other seating arrangements 240 may beprovided with alternative quantities of columns 200 in the outboardcolumn sets 204 and inboard column sets 206.

As indicated above, 12A-12E, 13A-13E, and 14A-14E show twin-aisleseating arrangements 240 containing nine (9) columns 200 of seats 242,and FIGS. 15A-15E, 16A-16E, 17A-17E, and 18A-18E contain ten (10)columns 200 of seats 242. Each seating arrangement 240 illustrates theprimary and secondary egress path 224, 226 for each seat 242. FIGS.12A-12E show five (5) different embodiments of a 2-5-2 seatingarrangement 240 meeting the above-noted seating rules. FIGS. 13A-13Eshow five (5) different embodiments of a 2-4-3 seating arrangement 240meeting the above-noted seating rules. FIGS. 14A-14E show five (5)different embodiments of a 3-3-3 seating arrangement 240 meeting theabove-noted seating rules. FIGS. 15A-15E show five (5) differentembodiments of a 3-4-3 seating arrangement 240 meeting the above-notedseating rules. FIGS. 16A-16E show five (5) different embodiments of a2-4-4 seating arrangement 240 meeting the above-noted seating rules.FIGS. 17A-17E show five (5) different embodiments of a 2-5-3 seatingarrangement 240 meeting the above-noted seating rules. FIGS. 18A-18Eshow five (5) different embodiments of a 2-6-2 seating arrangement 240meeting the above-noted seating rules.

In each seating arrangement 240 shown in FIGS. 12A, 13A, 14A, 15A, 16A,17A, and 18A (i.e., 12A through 18A), one pair of immediately-adjacentcolumns 214 in each column set face the same direction and are staggered218, and each pair of across-aisle columns 216 face the same directionand are staggered 218. In each seating arrangement 240 shown in FIGS.12B, 13B, 14B, 15B, 16B, 17B, and 18B (i.e., FIGS. 12B through 18B), theimmediately-adjacent columns 214 in each column set are reversed 220 indirection and are non-staggered, and each pair of across-aisle columns216 face the same direction and are staggered 218. In each seatingarrangement 240 shown in FIGS. 12C through 18C, one pair ofimmediately-adjacent columns 214 in each column set face the samedirection and are staggered 218, and each pair of across-aisle columns216 are reversed 220 in direction and are non-staggered. In each seatingarrangement 240 shown in FIGS. 12D through 18D, the immediately-adjacentcolumns 214 in each column set are reversed 220 in direction and arenon-staggered, and each pair of across-aisle columns 216 are reversed220 in direction and are non-staggered. In each seating arrangement 240shown in FIGS. 12E through 18E, one pair of immediately-adjacent columns214 in each column 200 set face the same direction and are staggered218, and each pair of across-aisle columns 216 face the same directionand are non-staggered. The above-noted seating rules applied to asingle-aisle aircraft cabin 150 may result in the seating arrangement240 shown in the above-described FIGS. 6-7.

FIGS. 19A-19B are examples of an aircraft cabin 150 with differentembodiments of a 3-3-3-3 triple-aisle seating arrangement 240. In theseating arrangement 240 shown in FIG. 19A, the immediately-adjacentcolumns 200 in each outboard column set 204 are reversed 220 indirection and are non-staggered, the columns 200 in each inboard columnset 206 face the same direction and are staggered 218, and each pair ofacross-aisle columns 216 are reversed 220 in direction and arenon-staggered. In the seating arrangement 240 shown in FIG. 19B, theimmediately-adjacent columns 200 in each outboard column set 204 arereversed 220 in direction and are non-staggered, the columns 200 in eachinboard column set 206 face the same direction and are staggered 218,and each pair of across-aisle columns 216 are reversed 220 in directionand are non-staggered. FIGS. 19A-19B also show the primary and secondaryegress path 224, 226 for each seat 242.

It should be noted that a triple-aisle seating arrangement 240 is notlimited to the seating arrangements 240 shown in FIGS. 19A-19B. In thisregard, a triple-aisle seating arrangement 240 may be provided in anyone of a variety of embodiments that satisfy the above-notedconfiguration rules wherein at least one outboard column set 204contains three (3) or more columns 200 and/or at least one inboardcolumn set 206 contains five (5) or more columns 200, and wherein, forat least one column 200 in each outboard column set 204 containing three(3) or more columns 200 and at least one inboard column set 206containing five (5) or more columns 200: (1) the seats 242 are reversed220 in direction relative to an adjacent column 214 and/or, (2) theseats 242 are staggered 218 relative to the seats 242 in an adjacentcolumn 214. For example, a triple-aisle aircraft cabin 150 may beprovided in a 2-5-3-2 seating arrangement, a 2-4-4-2, seatingarrangement, or other seating arrangements.

FIGS. 20A-20F show examples of arrangements for an outboard column set204 having four (4) columns 200 of seats 242. In FIG. 20A, the sidewallcolumn 212 is facing the same direction and is staggered 218 relative toits immediately adjacent column 214, and the aisle column 210 isreversed 220 in direction and is non-staggered relative to itsimmediately adjacent column 214. In FIG. 20B, the sidewall column 212 isreversed 220 in direction and is non-staggered relative to itsimmediately adjacent column 214, and the aisle column 210 is reversed220 in direction and is non-staggered relative to its immediatelyadjacent column 214. In FIG. 20C, the sidewall column 212 is facing thesame direction and is staggered 218 relative to its immediately adjacentcolumn 214, and the aisle column 210 is facing the same direction and isnon-staggered relative to its immediately adjacent column 214. In FIG.20D, the sidewall column 212 is reversed 220 in direction and isnon-staggered relative to its immediately adjacent column 214, and theaisle column 210 is facing the same direction and is non-staggeredrelative to its immediately adjacent column 214. In FIG. 20E, thesidewall column 212 is facing the same direction and is staggered 218relative to its immediately adjacent column 214, and the aisle column210 is reversed 220 in direction and is non-staggered relative to itsimmediately adjacent column 214. In FIG. 20F, the sidewall column 212 isreversed 220 in direction and is non-staggered relative to itsimmediately adjacent column 214, and the sidewall column 212 is alsoreversed 220 in direction and is non-staggered relative to itsimmediately adjacent column 214. FIGS. 20A-20F also show the primary andsecondary egress path 224, 226 for each seat 242, with the exception ofthe aisle columns in all of the seating arrangements of FIGS. 6-7 and12-20 in which the seats 242 in the aisle columns have only a primaryegress path 224.

FIG. 21 shows a flowchart containing one or more operations that may beincluded in a method 300 of determining and/or optimizing a seatingarrangement 240 for an aircraft cabin 150. Step 302 of the method 300may include entering one or more configuration parameters into aprocessor. The processor may execute computer readable programinstructions (not shown) to enable the processor to perform one or moreoperations associated with determining one or more seating arrangements240 of an aircraft cabin 150. The computer readable program instructionsmay be contained on tangible or non-tangible computer readable media(not shown) which may be loaded onto or transferred to a processor-basedsystem (not shown) for execution by the processor. In Step 302, theconfiguration parameters that may be entered into the processor mayinclude, but are not limited to, the cabin width 168 (FIG. 2), the totalquantity of aisles 158 (FIG. 2) in the aircraft cabin 150, the minimumaisle width 160, and the total quantity of columns 200 (FIG. 2) of seats242 (FIG. 2) in the aircraft cabin 150. In some examples, the method 300may include entering additional configuration parameters including, butnot limited, the minimum aisle width 164 (FIG. 10) above an aislethreshold height 162 and the minimum aisle width 166 (FIG. 10) below theaisle threshold height 162, as illustrated in FIG. 10 and describedabove. The method 300 may also include entering a minimum and/or amaximum path width 266 of the primary egress path 222 (FIG. 2) betweenthe seats 242, as shown in FIG. 9 and described above. As indicatedabove, an aircraft cabin 150 may include any number of a variety ofconfiguration parameters, any one or more of which may be entered intothe processor for determining a seating arrangement 240 of the aircraftcabin 150.

Step 304 of the method 300 may include entering into the processor theseat parameters (e.g., a numerical value or a range of values) assignedto the seat attributes. Each seat 242 may have the attribute of beingmovable between a seated configuration 246 and a bed configuration 248.One or more seat parameters may be entered into the processor describingthe taper in the seat width 260 along the seat length 258 from a mainportion 262 of the seat 242 to the footrest 284 when the seat 242 is inthe bed configuration 248. As indicated above, the main portion 262 ofthe seat 242 may be defined as the widest portion (e.g., externaldimensions) of the seat 242 when the seat 242 is in the bedconfiguration 248. The main portion 262 of the seat 242 may be locatedat an end of the seat 242 opposite the footrest 284. The seat taper mayalso be described by entering a ratio or ratio range of the seat width260 at the main portion 262 to the seat width 260 at the footrest 284.The seat taper may also be described in terms of taper angle, or usingother seat parameters. Seat parameters (e.g., a numerical value, aminimum value, a maximum value, a value range) may also be entereddescribing the seat length 258. For example, seat parameters mayinclude: a minimum seat length 258 of the seat 242 in the bedconfiguration 248, a minimum seat length 258 of the seat 242 in theseated configuration 246, a minimum seat width 260 at the footrest 284,a maximum offset of the footrest 284 from the seat centerline 254. Forexample, the method 300 may include entering a seat parameter value forthe amount of offset 290 of the footrest 284 in a transverse directionrelative to the seat centerline 254, as described above. Additional seatparameters may be entered to describe the attribute of a non-symmetricalgeometry of each seat 242 about the seat centerline 254 along at least aportion of the seat length 258. Other seat parameters may be entered todescribe seat attributes of a concave shape 278 and/or a convex shape280 of one or both of the opposing seat sides 274 of each seat 242 alongat least a portion of the seat length 258.

In the above examples, substantially similar values for the seatparameters may be assigned to all seats 242 within an aircraft cabin 150or within a given section of an aircraft cabin 150. In this regard,common seat parameters may represent that all seats 242 in a givensection (e.g., economy class) have the same size, shape (e.g.,footprint) and configuration. However, it is contemplated that a usermay assign seat parameters to seats 242 in one column 200 or column set(e.g., the inboard column sets), and assign different seat parameters tothe seats 242 in another column 200 or column set (e.g., the outboardcolumn sets). Variations in seat parameters may also differ according torows, or by other means.

Step 306 of the method 300 may include entering configuration rules intothe processor. In some examples, the configuration rules may allow orrequire that in at least one column 200 of an inboard column set 206and/or an outboard column set 204, the seats 242 are reversed 220 indirection and/or are staggered 218, as shown in one or more of the seat242 arrangements of FIGS. 6-7 and FIGS. 12-12E through 18A-18E. In someexamples, a configuration rule may allow or require that in at least onecolumn 200 of an inboard column set 206 and/or an outboard column set204, the seats 242 are reversed 220 in direction and are transverselyaligned (e.g., are non-staggered) with the seats 242 in an adjacentcolumn 214 and/or an across-aisle column 216, as shown in the series ofseating arrangements 240 of FIGS. 12D through 18D. Furthermore, aconfiguration rule may allow or require that in at least one column 200of an inboard column set 206 and/or an outboard column set 204, theseats 242 have the same direction and are staggered 218 relative to theseats 242 in an adjacent column 214 and/or an across-aisle column 216,as shown in the series of seating arrangements 240 of FIGS. 12E through18E. Configuration rules may also be entered allowing or requiring seats242 to be nested together such that at least a portion of the seat sides274 of adjacent seats 242 are in contact with one another, or a seatparameter may be entered describing the maximum spacing between theseats in adjacent aisles.

Additional configuration rules may be entered allowing or requiring thatthe seats 242 in at least one column 200 are staggered 218 such that thefootrest 284 of the seats 242 in one column 200 are located at anapproximate midpoint 276 of the seats 242 in an adjacent column. In someexamples, the configuration rules may allow or require that at least oneoutboard column set 204 contains three (3) or more columns 200 and/or atleast one inboard column set 206 contains five (5) or more columns 200,resulting in the single-aisle, representations of which are illustratedin the seating arrangements of FIGS. 6-7 and the double-aisle seatingarrangements 240 of FIGS. 12-12E through 18A-18E. Any one of a varietyof additional configuration rules may be entered allowing or requiringthat a seating arrangement is non-symmetrical about the longitudinalcenterline 156 of the aircraft cabin 150. Configuration rules may alsoallow or require that certain columns 200 are aft-facing and certaincolumns 200 are forward-facing.

Upon entering the configuration parameters, seat parameters, andconfiguration rules into the processor, the method may include Step 308of determining, using the processor, a seating arrangement 240 includingdefining the column 200 quantity in each one of the inboard and outboardcolumn sets 206, 204, a seat direction (e.g., forward or aft facing),and/or a stagger for each column 200 in the seating arrangement 240 thatresults in a maximum seat width 260 for each seat 242 based on theconfiguration parameters, seat parameters, and configuration rules, andwhich maximizes seat density within the aircraft cabin 150. In thisregard, the processor may use the configuration rules to maximize theseat widths 260 to optimize the use of floor space in the aircraft cabin150 such that a maximum number of seats 242 (e.g., per unit length) maybe installed with a given section (e.g., first class section, businessclass section, etc.) of the aircraft cabin 150. In some examples, themethod may include generating a layout and/or a graphic representationof one or more seating arrangements 240 that result in the maximizedseat width 260 for all the seats 242 in the seating arrangement 240 andmaximized seat density. In some examples the method may include enteringa seat width range and determining a set of valid seating arrangementsolutions that satisfy the configuration rules, and entering one or moreadditional configuration rules to select from the set of valid seatingarrangement solutions an optimized seating arrangement solution thatprovides a maximized seat width for each seat 242.

In implementing the above-described method for a twin-aisle, 10-columnseating arrangement 240, the columns 200 may be designated 0-9 startingfrom the right-hand side of the aircraft cabin 150 (e.g., facingforward) and designating the sidewall column 212 as 0 in accordance witha 0-based array for implementing the method. As indicated earlier, anyone of columns 200 may be forward-facing or aft-facing. The seatattributes for forward-facing and aft-facing may be modeled as a 10-bitbinary number wherein 0 designates a non-reversed column (e.g., aforward-facing column) and 1 designates a reversed column (e.g., anaft-facing column). Using the above noted nomenclature, the designation0000000001 indicates that the sidewall column 212 on the right-hand sideof the aircraft cabin 150 is reversed 220 in direction relative to theremaining 9 columns. For a 10-column seating arrangement 240, there are1024 possible permutations for the direction of the columns 200. Asindicated above, one or more configuration rules may be applied toreduce the number of possible seating arrangements.

The number of possible aisle-column combinations for a twin-aisle,10-column seating arrangement 240 may be reduced by applying one or moreconfiguration rules. For example, a configuration rule may beimplemented requiring that each one of the outboard column sets 204 hasat least two columns 200, and another configuration rule may beimplemented requiring that the outboard column sets 204 have no morecolumns 200 than the inboard column set 206. Applying the above two (2)configuration rules may reduce the number aisle-column combinations tofour (4) as is illustrated in FIGS. 15-18. For example, FIGS. 15A-15Eshow a 3-4-3 seating arrangement 240, FIGS. 16A-16E show a 2-4-4 seatingarrangement 240, FIGS. 17A-17E show a 2-5-3 seating arrangement 240, andFIGS. 18A-18E show a 2-6-2 seating arrangement 240. In some examples, aconfiguration rule may be implemented requiring a specific aisle-columnconfiguration of the seating arrangement 240. For example, for a10-column, 2-aisle arrangement, a configuration rule may be implementedrequiring a 2-5-3 aisle-column configuration.

The number of column-stagger permutations for the twin-aisle, 10-columnseating arrangement 240 may also be reduced by applying one or moreconfiguration rules. In this regard, the method may pre-filter to validstagger locations such that for each aisle 158 location, there are onlya small number (e.g., approximately 15 to 24) of valid column staggerpositions that provide a primary egress path 222 for each seat 242, suchthat the method only searches for the optimal solution and avoidsevaluating non-valid solutions. The method may use a 10-bit binarynumber to model column-stagger similar to the above-described 10-bitbinary designation for seat direction. In one example, the configurationrules for a valid stagger location may allow or require that eachoutboard column set 204 may have 0 or 1 staggered columns. For example,a staggered 218 column 200 in the outboard column sets 204 would be asidewall column 212 located immediately adjacent to the sidewall 152 ofthe aircraft cabin 150. For an inboard column set 206, the configurationrules may allow or require that 0, 1, or 2 columns 200 may be staggered218, and that if two (2) columns 200 of the inboard column set 206 arestaggered 218, the two (2) columns 200 must be located immediatelyadjacent to one another. Another configuration rule may allow or requirethat one or more staggered 218 columns 200 of the inboard column set 206are centered in the inboard column set 206 or are non-aisle columns 210of the inboard column set 206. For example, according to the above-notedconfiguration rules, if an inboard column set 206 contains five (5)columns 200, the column-stagger permutation 10000 will not beconsidered. However, the symmetrical permutation 00100 will beconsidered as will non-symmetrical permutations 01000 and 00010.

Column sets may also be staggered 218. For example, an entire column 200set may be staggered 218 relative to other column sets in the seatingarrangement 240 as shown in FIGS. 12B through 18B. A stagger of one-halfof the seat pitch 282 may have the same result as inverting the staggerfor each column 200 in the column set relative to a common datum (notshown) of the aircraft cabin 150. Staggering of columns sets 204, 206adds the variable of cross-aisle stagger while preserving theabove-described column-stagger capability.

The above-noted configuration rules may be implemented in the method asa means to maximize the seat width 260 of each seat 242 at the mainportion of the seat 242. The main portion 262 of the seat 242 mayinclude the seat bottom 264 and/or the seat back 266, and may begenerally located at an end of the seat 242 opposite the footrest 284.As indicated above, each one of the seats 242 may be tapered such thatthe footrest 284 is narrower than the main portion 262 (e.g., the seatbottom 264). The footrest 284 area may occupy a portion of the egresspath 222 for the seat 242 such that the width of the footrest 284 may bebased on the minimum path width 226 of the egress path 222.

As indicated above, the method may also take advantage of the narrowerwidth of the footrest 284 by staggering columns 200 such that therelatively narrow footrest 284 area of one seat 242 is located next tothe relatively wide main portion 262 (e.g., the widest portion) of theseat 242 in an adjacent column 200. In this manner, the seats 242 inadjacent columns 200 may be moved closer together in the transversedirection (e.g., the column set width is reduced), and allowing thedistance to be recouped (e.g., width recovery) by allowing for anincrease in the seat width 260 of the main portion 262 (e.g., the seatbottom 264) of each one of the seats 242.

The present method may incorporate one or more strategies forpositioning the footrests 284 of the seats 242 in one column 200adjacent to the main portion 262 of the seats 242 in an adjacent column.For example, seats 242 in one column 200 may be staggered in aforward/aft direction relative to the seats 242 in an adjacent column.Another strategy may be to reverse the direction of the seats 242 in onecolumn 200 relative to the direction of seats 242 in the adjacentcolumn. The two (2) strategies create four (4) options for orienting andpositioning the seats 242 in adjacent columns 200, including: (1) theseats face the same direction and are non-staggered, (2) the seats arereversed in direction and are non-staggered, (3) the seats face the samedirection and are staggered, and (4) the seats are reversed in directionand are staggered. As indicated above, the method may consider zoneconfigurations which may include cabin-level considerations such aslocation and geometry of the above-described monuments, the length ofthe zones or sections (e.g., cabin length 170—FIG. 2) of the aircraftcabin, location of cross-aisles, and other considerations.

With regard to the above-noted four (4) options for orienting andpositioning seats 242 in adjacent columns 200, option (1) is illustratedin FIGS. 12F through 18F and positions the main portion 262 (e.g., thewidest portions) of the seats 242 in one column 200 adjacent to the mainportion 262 of the seats 242 in the adjacent column 214 such that nowidth recovery benefit is provided. Option (2) is illustrated in FIGS.12D through 18D and positions the footrest 284 of the seats 242 in onecolumn 200 adjacent to the main portion 262 of the seats 242 in theadjacent column 214 such that some width recovery benefit is providedand which may translate into an increase in the seat width 260 of allseats 242 in the seating arrangement 240. Options (3) and (4) areillustrated in FIGS. 12A-C and 12F through 18A-C and 18F, and positionthe footrest 284 of the seats 242 in one column 200 adjacent to somelocation (e.g., midway) along the seat length 258 of the seats 242 inthe adjacent column 214 such that some width recovery benefit isprovided. The amount of width recovery benefit is dependent upon theamount of stagger (e.g., one-half of the seat pitch 282 or otherpercentage of seat pitch 282) and is also dependent upon the specificgeometry and shape of the seats 242 including the relative dimensions ofthe seat width 260 at the footrest 284 and at other locations along theseat length 258. The above-described method may select the option thatprovides the greatest benefit in terms of maximum seat width 260 at themain portion 262.

The present method may also incorporate one or more strategies forpositioning the footrests 284 of the seats 242 in an aisle column 210relative to the main portion 262 of the seats 242 in an opposing aislecolumn 210. In this regard, the above noted four (4) options forpositioning and orienting seats 242 of immediately-adjacent columns 214may be implemented in positioning and orienting seats 242 of cross-aislecolumns 216 as a means to increase the width 260 of the seat bottoms 264for a given aisle width 160 criteria. As indicated above, some aircraft100 may have a first minimum aisle width 164 (FIG. 10) between seats 242(e.g., at least 20 inches) at a predetermined aisle threshold height 162(e.g., 25 inches or more) above the cabin floor 154, and a secondminimum aisle width 166 (FIG. 10) between seats 242 (e.g., at least 15inches) below the aisle threshold height 162. In this regard, thepositioning and orienting seats 242 in cross-aisle columns 216 may allowfor the use of the smaller second minimum aisle width 166, and which mayprovide a width recovery benefit that may allow for an increase in themaximum seat width 260 at the seat bottoms 264.

As may be appreciated, the determination of the best seating arrangement240 may be dependent upon any one of a variety of factors including, butnot limited to, the geometry of each seat 242 including seat width 260dimensions along the seat length 258, seat access, and passengercomfort. In addition, factors such as the distance along each egresspath from each seat 242 to the main aisle, flight attendant access toeach seat 242, whether the main aisles 158 are straight or non-straight(e.g., a straight aisle width 160 may be greater than the local width ofa non-straight aisle), location and availability of overhead storage,seat privacy for forward-facing or aft-facing seat directions,availability of screens and/or partitions for privacy, details of seatdesign, functionality, mechanics, and appearance, as well as commonalityof parts.

Additional modifications and improvements of the present disclosure maybe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the particularcombination of parts described and illustrated herein is intended torepresent only certain embodiments of the present disclosure and is notintended to serve as limitations of alternative embodiments or deviceswithin the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A seating arrangement for an aircraft,comprising: a plurality of seats being convertible into a flat bedconfiguration; each seat having a seat centerline oriented at a seatangle relative to a longitudinal axis of an aircraft cabin; and eachseat having a footrest that is offset from the seat centerline.
 2. Theseating arrangement of claim 1, wherein: at least a portion of the seatshave a seat width that is wider at a main portion of the seat than atthe footrest.
 3. The seating arrangement of claim 1, wherein: the seatsare arranged in at least one column; and the seat centerlines of theseats in a column being substantially parallel to one another.
 4. Theseating arrangement of claim 1, wherein: the seats are arranged in twoor more columns; and the footrest of a seat in one column faces thefootrest of a seat of an adjacent column.
 5. The seating arrangement ofclaim 1, wherein: the seats are arranged in an inboard column set and apair of outboard column sets, each one of the outboard column sets beingseparated from the inboard column set by an aisle; the inboard columnset including at least two columns having a column set centerline; andthe footrests of each seat in the two columns in the inboard column setbeing located adjacent to the column set centerline.
 6. The seatingarrangement of claim 1, wherein: at least a portion of the seats arearranged in columns; the seat centerlines of the seats in at least onecolumn are substantially parallel to one another; and the footrest of aseat in one of the columns is positioned at an approximate midpoint of anearest seat forward or aft in a same column.
 7. A seating arrangementfor an aircraft, comprising: a plurality of seats arranged in columns inan aircraft cabin, each seat being convertible into a flat bedconfiguration having a main portion and a footrest narrower than themain portion; each seat allowing for direct, unimpeded access to anaisle when adjacent seats are in the bed configuration; and in at leastone column of an inboard column set and/or an outboard column set, theseats are reversed in direction and/or are staggered relative to theseats in an adjacent column and/or an across-aisle column.
 8. Theseating arrangement of claim 7, wherein: the seats are arranged in atleast one outboard column set containing three or more columns and/or atleast one inboard column set containing five or more columns.
 9. Theseating arrangement of claim 7, wherein: each seat having a seatcenterline oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of theaircraft cabin.
 10. The seating arrangement of claim 7, wherein: theseating arrangement includes at least two aisles.
 11. The seatingarrangement of claim 7, wherein: the seats in adjacent columns arestaggered.
 12. The seating arrangement of claim 11, wherein: thefootrest of the seats in one column are located adjacent to a seatbottom of a seat in an adjacent column.
 13. The seating arrangement ofclaim 7, wherein: the seats are arranged in at least two columns setsseparated by an aisle, each one of the column sets including an aislecolumn, at least one of the column sets including a non-aisle column;the seats in aisle columns having direct, unimpeded access to an aisleof the aircraft cabin from a seat side of each seat; and the seats innon-aisle columns having direct, unimpeded access to an aisle of theaircraft cabin when the seat is in a seated configuration.
 14. A methodof determining a seating arrangement for an aircraft cabin, comprisingthe steps of: entering configuration parameters into a processor,including a cabin width, a quantity of aisles, a minimum aisle width,and a quantity of columns of seats, wherein each seat is movable betweena seated configuration and a bed configuration having a seat width thattapers from a main portion to a footrest; entering seat parametersdescribing a taper in seat width from the main portion to the footrest;entering configuration rules into the processor, including: in at leastone column of an inboard column set and/or an outboard column set, theseats are reversed in direction and/or are staggered; and determining,using the processor, a seating arrangement including a column quantityin each column set, and a seat direction and/or a stagger for eachcolumn in the seating arrangement that results in a maximum seat widthat a main portion of the seats.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein theconfiguration rules further include: the seats are arranged in at leastone outboard column set containing three or more columns and/or at leastone inboard column set containing five or more columns.
 16. The methodof claim 14, further including: entering into the processor a seatparameter of a maximum offset of the footrest from a seat centerline.17. The method of claim 14, wherein the configuration rules furtherinclude: in at least one column of an inboard column set and/or anoutboard column set, a maximum of two columns are staggered; and in aninboard column set, if two columns are staggered, the columns areadjacent to one another.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein theconfiguration parameters include zone parameters, the method furtherincluding: entering zone parameters into the processor including a cabinlength and a minimum path width between the seats in a same column; andentering into the processor a seat parameter of a minimum seat length.19. The method of claim 14, wherein the configuration rules furtherinclude: in at least one column of an inboard column set and/or anoutboard column set, the seats are reversed in direction and aretransversely aligned with the seats in an adjacent column and/or anacross-aisle column.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein theconfiguration rules further include: in at least one column of aninboard column set and/or an outboard column set, the seats have a samedirection and are staggered relative to the seats in an adjacent columnand/or an across-aisle column.